RACE REPORT: - NORTHWICH: - 07\03\2004

The weather for the first race of the year would be best described as changeable. It was sunny when I left home, then it clouded over, the wind picked up and just before the briefing it rained. It then cleared a little but remained chilly and drafty! Despite the weather twenty-one MADCC members made the journey to Northwich, determined to carry on from last year’s success. The race is held on the Weaver Navigation, which is a lovely wide and deep river with a slight flow. The scenery is nice too, apart from the chemical factory bit! Four doubles and thirteen singles made up the team, and MADCC accounted for just short of half the entries.

The first event for MADCC was a combined Div.3\4 & 5\6 K2 event. The level of training John and Adrian have been doing in preparation for their DW race was evident as they kept pace with the higher ranked paddlers. Although they came in second with the time penalty they claimed their first gold medal of the year! Gordon and Dylan fell victim to the cruel time penalty and once four minutes had been added to their time, they were pushed into 3^rd place. You have my sympathy. Chris entered Div.6 K1 as a practice for his DW race, and following a “ steady but strong” paddle took 3^rd place. The four-mile events got under way with Div.7 K1 where MADCC had over half the field. A strong contest saw Andrew push hard to take 3^rd place just ahead of Mark in 4^th. Paul was the last paddler to score points in 6^th place, while Don and Mike finished 8^th and 9^th respectively. Next away were Div.7\8 & 9 combined K2 race. A very strong pace was set all the way through, and only thirty seconds separated the boats at the finish. Despite crossing the line 2^nd, Simon and Michelle were cruelly pushed into 3^rd place by Tom and Kris courtesy of a two minute time penalty. Ooh, it hurts! Pat was our only entrant in Div.8 K1 and found the pace a little too quick finishing 4^th. Div.9 K1 had nine boats on the start line, six from MADCC! Sarah showed us all what she is capable of by storming away after the turn to a well-deserved victory, well done Sarah! Margaret chased her as hard as she could to claim her silver medal, with Neil right behind claiming a bronze medal. Liam battled all the way finally breaking free to take 4^th place, while a slightly bewildered Karen had to settle for 7^th spot. Rob, in only his second race took 8^th place.

MADCC had a very good day claiming an ample share of the trophies with three gold, three silver and seven bronze medals. “Points and Posteriors” was always coming our way, but we also took the full ten points for the Hasler League too! A great start to the year on a day when the weather was less than kind, and the competition strong. A strong and solid display by all MADCC members, who seem to be enjoying themselves at the moment. Lets hope the momentum keeps up and we can finish the year as strong as we started it.